Data Zone
Country/territory: Iraq
IBA criteria met: A1 (2014)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here
Area: 1,130 ha
| IBA conservation status | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year of assessment (most recent) | State (condition) | Pressure (threat) | Response (action) |
| 2014 | not assessed | very high | negligible |
| For more information about IBA monitoring, please click here | |||
Site description (2014 baseline)
The Diyala River flows south-southwest from the outlet of Darbandikhan Reservoir and eventually enters the Tigris River south of Baghdad. This site is located on the Diyala River between two important bird areas along this corridor, Darbandikhan (IQ040) and Maidan Area (IQ045) to the north and Himreen Lake (IQ053) to the south. There are surrounding hills, some cultivated areas, and an extensive but often fragmented riparian zone.
Key biodiversity
Additional Important Bird Observations: During the surveys, 60 species were recorded. The site also held one breeding Irano-Turanian, one Mediterranean and three Sahara-Sindian Desert biome-restricted species (see Appendix X) but this did not trigger inclusion under criterion A3. European Roller Coracias garrulus (Near Threatened) was recorded in the breeding season.
Other Important Fauna: Data for non-avian fauna were collected during 2007 and 2008 only, when 18 Wild Boars Sus scrofa, which are often hunted, and one Indian Grey Mongoose Herpestes edwardsii were observed.
Fish: Data were collected in 2007 and 2008 only, during which five significant species were reported: Alburnus mossulensis, Carasobarbus luteus, Cyprinion macrostomum, Gambusia holbrooki, and Garra rufa.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Kalar Area (Iraq). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/kalar-area-iba-iraq on 23/11/2024.